The National tribune., 1887-05-26
OUR RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers
WASHED FIFLDs.


the moun:ainous-lands into gullies or bare
and barren gravel beds or rocks. The damage
thus caused in the Southern States is enormous.
Almost every farm has its washed and aban-
bOned fields, ruined in this way. How TO avoid
il is one of the serious problems Of Southern
agriculture. With some experience in this di-
rection upon hilly Southern farm, the writer
has been led to believe that seeding the most
sloping lands to grass or clover and deep plOw-
ing are the two best remedies for this evil A
badly washed field plowed eight inches deep
with good hillside plOw and sown with oats
and mixed grass has been subjected to one of the
most sweeping and injurious rain torrents
known for some years back. The field escaped
practically without injury, small part of it
sloping two ways TO shallow gulch or cove
only being at all washed, and this no more
than in a few small burrows where the water,
which the soil could not absorb, flowed off to
the lower level. A field on an adjoining farm,
plowed with the common bull tongue, was be-
reft of all the plowed soil, which flowed in
torrents OF mud down the slope. 1t Is as i'm
pOrtant to prevent damage and waste of land
as 10 improve it.
SEEDING POTATOES.
There is still difference of opinion regard
ing the quantity of seed TO be employed in
planting potatoes. There are many who still
adhere TO the old idea Of cutting a large potato
In two for n single hill, and who are frequently
heard TO quote that mcde as being productive
OF better results than with the present mode. 1t
must be remembered that there is quite diff
ference in the mode Of the present and the past.
When the hills were placed not less than three
feet apart in the rows which were from three
to three and one-half feet apart, and the system
Of making larger hills prevailed, the seed was
scattered a little, but the new potatoes grew by
extending in all directions in the hills. With
the present systems equivalent to drilling in the
seed-the same amount of seeding would simply
produce a great quantity Of very small potatoes.
Some years ago We made pretty thorough test
Of the matter of seeding and were convinced
that pieces cut 20 two eyes from medium-sized
tubers produced the most satisfactory results,
and with close planting we should never put
more than three eyes 70 the bill.
GROWING PEAS WITH POTATOES.
For the production of peas for the table, they
may be planted with potatoes, putting in from
three TO FIVE peas. 1t is presumed that the soil
is 20 be sufficiently feFtilized, so as to carry
two crops. and the potato tops will provide
ample support for the peas, which will grow
over them aud still not injure them; II bugs
trouble the potatoes, they can De picked or
This furnishes very easy way Of growing peas
and sometimes more convenient than to plant
in rows FOR bushiug, especially when i requires
an effort 10 procure the brush suitable for use.
NOTES
1t is said that shavings sprinkled with di-
luted carbOlie acid viii free hens nest entirely
from veTmin.
- The largest table ever made from 4 single
Ma % ha fTrk Of 4
The plank is - feet long and 6 wide, and was
cut from = California redwood tree.
Fig trees begin TO bear in IS months after
planting, and continue to increase Ia size and
bearing capacity for more than half century.
No insect pests disturb this tree.
Charles 5. Commiugs, Pm. c., states that
honey gathered from white clover, Eastwood,
and raspberry is Of ligbt color, and has a
delicious 3ayOT; but the bees VIII not gather Il
from white clover as long as it can be gotten
from other plants
- IL Is noticeable that in hotbeds lettuce Is
FAR less subject 10 burn than in greenhouses.
This is doubtless in consequence Of the greater
freedom VITA which air enters the bed close 70
the plants, and to the more even temperature
OF the bed at night, when they are covered
with mats The usual structure Of greenhouses
makes covering with mats impraetielbie.
- When a lamb is 60 days old, IL viii begin
b stretch out aud look lean unless IL is fed all il
will take Of suitable food. 1t is the best plan
10 feed the ewes and lambs grain twice a day,
although they may not get any more. They
Will do better fed in this way. Sheep have
very delicate stOmaehs and so have lambs. An
excess Of food will always disagree with them.
A reform can be made on almost every
farm by not letting everything run down. When
an animal shows such signs, give il better food.
warm blanket will make great deal of diff
ference and two quarts more Of meal and warm
drink may turn the scale mp. a farmer who
does not use his eyes and brains 10 look out for
ali Of these things and save himself loss is not
living up to his opportunities.
As a rule IL is better to have the heifers
come in when two years old. They will make
better COWS, unless they are runty little things.
In such case wait year longer. The milk
organs are better developed, and they make bet
ter cows, coming into use at two years of age.
They do not get 50 beefy, but they must not be
starved, or they will make COWS und.r-sized.
( They do not mature 50 soon, but when well fed
they will get 10 full size, and there will be a
gain Of year in profit. Thoroughbred cows all
come in az two years. It is more a matter of
food and care than age
- When the ground Is thoroughly frozen, and
all the better if covered with snow, il is a good
plan TO draw manure and spread oYer the
snow and frozen ground under the trees A
covering Of straw is better than nothing, as the
object IS protection from deeper freezing of the
ground. With this covering the snow under
the trees is kept from blowing away or thawing
until late in the Spring. By this means the
early blooming fruit buds will be kept back un-
til danger Of Spring frCsts has passed. and il is
also some protection 10 peach trees against Win
| ter-killing by severe cold. BY this method
peaches may BE- grown in those localities where
they thrived when the country was new, and the
ground was everywhere covered all Winter
with snow.
- The 10Th annual meeting Of the Assoeia-
| ti0n OF Nurserymen, Florists and Seedsmen will
be held in the Exposition Building. in Chicago
/ H., commencing Wednesday. June 10, 1887
and continuing three days. The discussion OF
questions directly concerning the welfare Of the
| trade, new modes OF propagating, new labor
/ saving devices, making the personal aequaint.
ance OF Others IN the trade exchange and sale
OF surplus stock, exhibition of new trees fruits
/ and plants, are among the many reasons why
/ every person interested in horticultural pur-
/ suits should be present at this meeting. An
/ outline program, hotel and railroad arrange
ments, and other information may be obtained
/ by addressing the Secretary, ID. Wilmot Scott
Galena, H.
"A changeable Winter with several alter.
nate freezings and thawings, will add a good
deal Of new soil Clipped of from the stones
even those small, almost or entirely invisible
stones that make up portion even Of ouI
finest soils. Stony lands are thus greatly i'm
proved every Winter. The deeper the frost
goes the better Flowing the land in burrows
| and ridges in Autumn lets the frost down deeper
| aud improves the lower soil. With the same
Summer conditions Of sun and rain, we are
| likely to have better crops after a severe freez
= -. 4